CHAN 2018 - Morocco 3-1 Libya - As it happened

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Jan 31, 2018. 20:57

Welcome to as-it-happened coverage of the 2018 African Nations Championship semifinal between Morocco and Libya from Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.

Commentary
All times CAT

120+3' - Full time - Done and dusted after 120 minutes and Morocco are 3-1 winners! They move into the 2018 CHAN final and will face either Nigeria or Sudan, who face off in Marrakech later this evening.

120' - There will be two minutes of added time.

117' - GOAL! Morocco 3-1 Libya - El Karti scores the penalty he won and that surely seals Morocco's place in the 2018 CHAN final!

116' - Penalty to Morocco! El Karti fouled in the box and Morocco have a chance to kill off this semifinal!

111' - Libya with a scoring chance but the offside flag is quickly raised, and Zniti made a brave save anyway.

109' - Almost 3-1 for Morocco as  Boulahroud meets a cross, but puts his header over the  crossbar!

106' - Underway in the second half of extra time, Morocco will hope to hang on to their lead - or add to it - and book a place in the final.

105+1' - Half time - We've reached the midway point of extra time.

105' - Substitution - El Kaabi receives rapturous applause as he is replaced by Nayef Aguerd.

102' - Super play from Hadraf out on the left wing and he earns plenty of cheers from the local fans.

97' - GOAL! Morocco 2-1 Libya - The Atlas Lions back in front and again it's El Kaabi! The striker is gifted a tap-in from a corner kick and gleefully puts the hosts back in front! Goal number eight for him!

92' - An early chance for Libya from a corner kick, but Zniti redeems himself by keeping out Abushnaf's goal-bound header!

91' - Back underway in the first half of extra time.

90+4' - Full time - That's the end of 90 minutes, the game is locked at 1-1 and will go to extra time.

90+1' - Yellow card - Taher booked for a clumsy foul.

89' - That goal has silenced the Moroccan fans, who are coming to grips with the prospect of extra time.

86' - GOAL! Morocco 1-1 Libya - A massive mistake from Zniti, who is challenged in possession and allows Khalleefa to score and level the game up at 1-1!

84' - Substitution - Elmutasem Abushnaf replaces Ablo in Libya's last change.

80' - Substitutions - Haddad makes way for El Mehdi Barrahma for Morocco and Abdelsalam Alaqoub replaces Aleyat for Libya.

75' - That's a seventh goal in this CHAN for El Kaabi. Will it be enough to send Morocco into the final?

73' - GOAL! Morocco 1-0 Libya - It's El Kaabi again! Hadraf with some great wing play down the left flank, he chips in a cross from the by-line and an unmarked El Kaabi scores with a downward header!

69' - We have a break in play while both Nashnoush and Masaud receive treatment for a collision in the penalty area.

67' - Hadraf delivers a teasing cross from a free kick, Nashnoush comes off his line to punch clear.

63' - So close for Libya! Al Taher heads on target from a corner kick and Morocco need Jbira to clear off his own goal line!

61' - El Karti gets a glancing header from an in-swinging free kick, but it's an easy save for 'keeper Nashnoush.

59' - Haddad is down after coming off second best in a challenge, Morocco will hope he isn't seriously injured.

54' - Substitution - Zakaria Hadraf replaces Bencharki in Morocco's first change.

53' - Substitution - Libya's first change sees Aribi make way for Moftah Taktak.

50' - Libya looking a little more adventurous in the second half, though here's Moroccan left back Jbira with a storming run which almost opens up the defence.

46' - Back underway in the second half, no changes from either team at the break.

45+3' - Half time - Goalless at the break. Morocco have been the better team, but Libya will be happy with their work thus far.

44' - Yellow card - El Trbi booked for shirt pulling as Morocco look to dial up the pressure late in the half.

40' - Yellow card - Nashnoush booked for arguing with the referee. The 'keeper is soon in action again as he punches clear a corner kick.

39' - Nahiri shoots direct for goal from the free kick and Libya 'keeper Nashnoush has to make a good save to punch the ball clear.

38' - Super run from El Kaabi, who earns a free kick in another good position after being pulled back by Sabbou.

35' - Ten minutes to half time, still 0-0 in Casablanca between Morocco and Libya.

31' - Boulahroud with a long range effort which flies over the top of the Libyan goal.

29' - Haddad sprints clear down the left and plays in a low cross looking for El Kaabi, but Masaud makes a fine clearance.

25' - Yellow card - Libya's Aribi is booked for a foul on Bencharki. The Morocco forward delivers a good cross from the free kick and Saidi hits the crossbar with a free header! So close for the Atlas Lions!

24' - Another free kick from Morocco, this time Bencharki's delivery is good, but Masaud makes a fine headed clearance.

21' - Some frustration creeping into Morocco's game, they're going to have to be patient to find an opening in attack.

17' - Libya forward Ablo throws himself at a cross from the right flank, but can't quite get a touch. The Mediterranean Knights' first hint of a threat...

15' - Corner kick for Libya, Ablo delivers from their left flank but it's well claimed under pressure by Morocco goalkeeper Zniti.

13' - Another free kick in a good attacking position, this time Nahiri delivers but he only manages to strike the two-man wall. The Atlas Lions need to improve their set-piece play if they are to test Libya's defence.

9' - A good attacking opportunity for Morocco from a free kick on the right flank, but Bencharki's delivery is poor and Libya can restart with a goal kick.

5' - Bencharki tees up Haddad in the box, the winger chips the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper but Sabbou gets back to clear from almost under his own crossbar!

3' - Morocco beginning to put their passing game together, with the elegant El Karti pulling the strings as their playmaker.

1' - Kick-off - We are underway in Casablanca! Morocco wear red and green, while Libya are in all-white.

18h20 - The referee for this match is Janny Sikazwe from Zambia.

18h10 - The winner of this match will advance into the final, set for the same venue on Sunday night, where they will face either Nigeria or Sudan, who meet later this evening in Marrakech.

18h00 - Half an hour to kick-off, here are the starting line-ups:

Morocco: 1. Anas Zniti, 16. Mohamed Nahiri, 5. Jawad El Yamiq, 13. Badr Banoun, 20. Abdeljalil Jbira, 8. Salaheddine Saidi, 6. Badr Boulahroud, 10. Walid El Karti, 17. Achraf Bencharki, 11. Ismail Haddad, 9. Ayoub El Kaabi

Libya: 1. Muhammad Nashnoush, 2. Ahmed Almaghasi, 15. Ahmed El Trbi, 8. Sand Masaud, 3. Motasem Sabbou, 18. Bader Ahmed, 17. Abdulrahman Khalleefa, 6. Mohamed Aleyat, 23. Omar Aribi, 7. Salem Ablo, 21. Saleh Al Taher